Manchester United are reportedly interested in raiding relegation candidates Nottingham Forest for two key players
11:43, 25 Feb 2026
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson (right) and Morgan Gibbs-White appear dejected after Leicester City score their second goal during the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham
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Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White are reportedly Manchester United targets(Image: PA)
Manchester United are reportedly keen on Nottingham Forest pair Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson. And some sales might need to be approved to finance this sensational double deal.
Under the leadership of Michael Carrick, United have made considerable strides over the past month. Having taken over from Ruben Amorim, the English boss is yet to taste defeat in his initial six games at the helm during this period.
However, enhancing the squad when the summer window swings open must remain on the club's agenda and they have reportedly identified both Gibbs-White and Anderson. The former was the target of a £60million offer from Tottenham during the summer, which was rejected and he subsequently penned a new three-year contract at the City Ground.
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Anderson is one of the Premier League's most sought-after talents and rumours of a £100m valuation persist. Regardless of whether Forest avoid relegation, it seems United may mount a bid for this duo and we examine potential sales the club could authorise to facilitate it.
There are two apparent moves that United are anticipated to execute come the summer: offloading both Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, who are currently out on loan.
Rashford moved to Barcelona last year and despite the potential hurdle of renegotiation, he has a £26m purchase option that the Catalan side are anticipated to trigger.
Manchester United's English striker #10 Marcus Rashford (L) comes on to replace Manchester United's Danish striker #11 Rasmus Hojlund (R) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester United
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Rashford and Hojlund could make their loan spells permanent in the summer(Image: Getty)
Hojlund is flourishing at Napoli and he also has a buy-out obligation. This £38m clause becomes active if Napoli secure next season's Champions League qualification and even without it, they're still expected to try purchasing him.
Should both departures proceed without complications, they could raise £64m, with Rashford's transfer representing pure profit. Subsequently, if the dynamic Gibbs-White arrives, he would certainly replace Bruno Fernandes in the starting XI.
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Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium
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Fernandes turned down a move to the Middle East last year(Image: Getty)
The club skipper has been a devoted servant to United, but at 31, he can only decline. Rumours have already started regarding a potential summer exit following last year's Saudi Pro League speculation.
His contract only runs until 2027 and he would probably require enormous wages to extend. The Daily Mail reports that he possesses a £56.6m release clause in his deal for overseas clubs.
Two additional squad members could accompany Fernandes through the exit door, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch striker was linked with a January departure.
Mason Mount of Manchester United reacts with Joshua Zirkzee at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Manchester City
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Mount and Zirkzee could be sold(Image: Getty)
Mount has battled with fitness issues since his £60m switch from Chelsea in 2023 and he would create room should Anderson arrive. January speculation valued Zirkzee at approximately £20m, whilst Mount is rated at £28m according to Transfermarkt.
Combined, offloading these five players could generate roughly £170m. Forest may insist on close to £100m for Anderson and there's a release clause in the fresh contract Gibbs-White signed last summer which avoids a bidding war.
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Still, a total of £170m, not forgetting the salaries that United might have cleared from their wage bill through these departures, would certainly suffice to complete this potentially transformative double signing if personal terms can be finalised.
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